Pneumatic door bell



2 :sheets-sheet 1.

J., HUNT. PNBUMATIG DUUR BELL.

Patented Deo. 14,1897.

(No Model.)

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(No Model.) l2 Sheetgs-"Sheet 2.v J. HUNT.

PNEUMATIG DOOR BELL.

Patented DeG.-14,1897.

INVE NTOR By his tforneys, m .dna/Om wcm mus PETERS on., PNom-Llmo.. wAsHlNuYoN. u. c,

UNITED STA-TES PATENT OFFICE.

,JOHN HUNT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PNEUMATIC DOOR-BELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,630, dated December 14, 1897. Application tiled June 27, 1891.v Serial Nu.'397,674. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN HUNT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Bells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention introduces certain improvements in pneumatic bells or annunciators.

The object of the invention is to improve and cheapen the construction of such bells or annunciators. l

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a side elevation of a pneumatic bell constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse mid-section of the bell, showing it as applied to a door in connection with a push-button. Fig. is arear elevation, partly in vertical section, on the line 4 4 in Fig, 3, the back plate of the mechanism-case being removed to show the workin g parts. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the case with the working parts removed. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the back plate of the mechanism-case. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse section cut on the line 7 7 in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a side View of the bellhammer and itsmounting detached. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary transverse section cut on the line 9 9 in Fig. 5. Fig. 10 shows in side'and front lelevations the bellows and its removable supportingplate. Fig. ll is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 11 ll in Fig. 2. The bell or annunciator is constructed with a case or shell A, suitably formed of cast metal or other material and comprising an upper flattened portion or mechanism-case A and a lower box B. The bell C is fastened on a post a, Fig. 3, projecting from the front of the mechanism-case A'. The box B contains the bellows D, which is seated on a transverse plate or partition E, being clamped thereto by means of a iianged thimble b and nut c in the usual manner and whereby is connected to it the air-tube d, Fig. 3. Upon air being compressed in this pipe it enters the bellows and expands the latter upwardly. On top of thebellows rests a disk F, to which is fixed a a bar F', which extends up vertically through a slot e into the mechanism-case A'.` Within this case it is formed with a pin f, which enters a slot f in the end of a lever-arm G, Fig. 4, which is pivoted on a stud g, projecting rearwardly from the front plate of the mechanism-case, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. To this lever G is pivoted a sector H, having sector-teeth i concentric with the pivotal axis g and meshing withthe pinion I. The sector H isA pivoted to the lever G at h eccentrically to the axis g, and it is formed with a slot j,

engaged by a pin j on the lever G, as shown.

' ver G upwardly. The pin j' on this lever,.act

ing against the upper side of the slotj, carries the sector H upward with it, so that the lever and sector-move as one piece, and this movement of the sector imparts rotary motion to the pinion I. During this movement the sector-teeth c' remain concentric with the axis g.

When the air-pressure is relieved and the bellows collapses, the bar F' and lever G fall back, and in so doing the sector H turns on its pivot h sufficiently to bring its teeth c' within mesh with the pinion, and by the contact of the pin j' with the lower end of the slot j the sector is drawn down or retracted to the normal position, whereupon it falls by its own weight to the position shown, where it is in mesh with the pinion. The pinion I is xed to an escapement-wheel J, a fragment only of which is showm in- Fig. 4, the

teeth of which engage an anchor K, ixed onv a short spindle la, Fig. 8, which passes freely through a hole in the front plate of the mechanism-case and has fixed on its front end a spring-arm k', carrying the hammer K', which is arranged within the bell C to strike the bell when vibrated. Thus the expansion of the bellows D, by causing a rotation of the pinion I and escape-wheel J, vibrates the anchor K, and consequently the hammer K', and rings the bell.

The mechanism-case A' is constructed with a front plate m and a ange or rim m', projecting rearwardly from it, and with a re- ICC movable back plate n, the edge of which fits into a rabbet in this flange. This plate n is shown removed in Fig. `6. The anchor-spindle 7c is pivoted at its front end in a bracket k2, fixed to the front side of the plate m, and at its rear end in a bracket or plate 7c3, fastened to the rear side of the plate n in the lnanner shown in Fig. 9. The pinion I and escape-wheel .I are fixed together and turn on a stud or pin o, Fig. 5, projecting rearwardly from the front plate m, their displacement being prevented by a boss o', projecting forwardly from the rear plate n, as shown in Fig. 3 and 6, sufficiently to come into loose contact with the escape-wheel. The lever G turns, as stated, on a pivotal stud g, formed integrally with the front plate m and projecting backwardly from it in the manner shown in Figs. 5 and 7. The lever G- is held in position at the pivot by a forward projection g on the rear plate n, which when this plate is applied comes against the end of the stud g. This plate is also formed with an arc-shaped projection g2, Figs. 6 and 7, which comes against the lever G and holds it in place as it vibrates.

The -bar F/ is guided by moving against a vertical rib Z, formed on the front plate on, and also by working through the deep slot or recess e in the top of the box B. This slotis closed bya projection e on the bottom of the back plate n, Figs. 3 and 6, so as to form a loose guide for t-he bar. The back plate n is fastened in place by two screws passed through holes p p, Fig. and entering bosses pp, Fig. 5. The back plate is made with holes through itin order that in asseinblingthe parts the operator may see through and watch the operation of the mechanism and make any necessary adjustment. In order to close these holes, a disk q, of sheet metal, (shown in Fig. 2,) is subsequently applied and fastened by two screws q q. This disk is cut with a hole to expose the coinciding holes n in the plates of the mechanism-case, through which access is had to the stem 7c of the hammer, so that at any time this stem is rendered accessible in ord er that by bending it to either side the action of the hammer may be correctly adjusted.

The plate E, to which the bellows D is attached, is made removable and constructed as shown best in Fig. 10. It consists of a horizontal plate formed with vertical side anges r r, which are beveled from back to front in the manner shown in the left-hand view in Fig. 10. The inner side of the box B is formed with ribs r r2, the space between which is beveled to fit the taper of these sideiianges, so that the plate E may be slid into place from the open rear side of the box between these projections and requires no other fastening. As the bellows is not fastened to the disk F it may thus be readily and instantaneously removed in case of any leakage or impairment and may be repaired and replaced and as easily reinserted.

4wherein the bell is attached to the inner side of the door and communicates with a pushbutton appearing on the outer side. This is best shown in Fig. 3, where L is the door and M the push-button working in the hole to be made through the door. The box B is extended downwardly sufficiently far to make room for a com pression-bulb N, Figs. 3 and 4, which is preferably mounted on a vertical plate E', formed integrally with and projecting downwardly from the plate E, as shown. It is fastened to this plate in the same manner that the bellows D is fastened, and at its fastening is connected to the air-tube d, which leads to the bellows D, this tube being preferably made of lead. The bulb N is presented at the rear open side of the box B, where it comes close against the surfaces of the door. Against it comes a plate or disk N', fixed on the rear end of a rod M', which screws into the push-button M. This button is made as a cylinder of sufficient length, and the screwrod M may be screwed into it more or less in order to adjust the push-button to different thicknesses of doors and cause the button to protrude to the proper extent on the outer side of the door to cause it when pushed to eect a sufficient compression of the bulb N to properly operate the bell. This simple construction admits of the use of my annunciator as a direct-acting door-bell in lieu of the clockwork or mechanically-ringing pushbutton bells now extensively used. On pushing inthe button M the hammer is caused to vibrate and ring the bell a number of strokes proportionally t-o the extent to which the air is compressed in the bulb N.

When my improved pneumatic annunciatoris not designed to be used as a door-bell for direct attachment to the door, the bulb N will be omitted from the box B and the tube d carried out of the box and connected through any suitable pneumatic tube to a bulb and push-button applied at any desired distant point from which a signal is to be communicated. For this purpose the lead pipe d will ordinarily be carried up in the manner shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 at d', and its upper portion will be held by a clamp s, applied to the rear of the mechanism-case and consisting of a boss s', formed on the rear platen in the manner shown in Fig. l1 and to which a clamping-plate s is fastened by a screw, as shown. This constitutes a simple and convenient means of holding the tube d. To the projecting upper end of this tube the pneumatic tube leading to the distant point is coupled in any suitable way--as, for example, in the usual manner by a rubber tube, as shown at d2 in Fig. 2. In such case the tube d passes out through a notch t, formed in the top of the bellows-box B, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The back of this box extends farther back than the back of the mechanismcase, as shown in Fig. 3, leaving plenty of IOO IIO

room behind the mechanism-case for the passage of the tube. When the bulbNis omitted from the box B, the latter may be shortened up, its bottom being raised to a corresponding extent. In the greater majority of cases my pneumatic bell will be applied as of this construction-that is to say, omitting that part of my invention which pertains to the application of the bell directly to the door in connection with a push-button and air and compression bulb.

My improved construction of pneumatic bell or annunciator has the important advantages of bringing the mechanism into most compact form and entirely inclosing its operative parts, so that they are protected from dust and from the access of insects.

In pneumatic bells as ordinariiy'made a difficulty is sometimes experienced by reason of crotonbugs or other vermin getting into the mechanism-case, a difficulty which is entirely overcome by my invention. rlhe parts are very easily constructed, there being the minimum of machine-work, and the assembling being done with great facility. My invention also enables the mechanism-case to be made of very compact and graceful form, so that the bell presents a neat and workman-like appearance. The construction is also considerably cheapened.

The mechanical movement-by which the expansion-bellows D is caused to impart rotary movement to the escape-wheel J embodies in part the features claimed in my Patent No. 402,018, dated April 23, 1889, but also includessome improvements thereon.

A leaf-spring u is preferably provided in the path of the sector H, as shown in Fig. 4, for insuring that the latter shall return promptly after completing its upward stroke.

I claim as my invention the following-defined novel features or improvements, substantially as hereinbefore specified, namely:

1. In a pneumatic bell of the character described, the flat mechanism-case A' formed with a front plate m and back plate n, the one formed' with a projecting stud 0 and the other with a flat projection o', combined with a hammer mounted on a spindle k passing through a hole in the front plate, an anchor K xed on said spindle within the mechanism-case, and an escapement-wheelJ and pinion I lixed together and turning on said stud,

substantially as specified.

2. In a pneumatic bell of the character described, the combination with the bell-hammer and escapement of the pinion I, sector H meshing therewith, lever Gr to which said sector is eccentrically pivoted, and a mechanism-case A comprising aY front and back plate between which said sector and lever are arranged flatwise, and by which they are guided, one of said plates formed with a projectin g stud g onwhich said lever is pivoted, and the other with aflat projection g adapted to hold the pivotal end of said lever in engagement with said stud.

3. In a pneumatic bell of the character described, the combination with the bell-hammer and escapement of the pinion I, sector H meshing therewith, lever G to which said sector is 'eccentrically pivoted, sliding bar F engaging said lever, and a mechanism-case comprising front and back plates between which the sector, lever and bar are confined, one of said plates formed with an elongated projection g2 adapted to guide the lever in its vibratory movement.

4. In a pneumatic bell, the combination withthe bellows-box thereof of a freely-removable plate fltting into said box and unattached thereto, and the bellows attached to said plate, whereby the bellows may be readily removed from and replaced in said box.

5. In a pneumatic bell, the combination with the casing or bellows-box thereof formed with internal ribs, of a removable plate litting thereinto formed with lateral flanges engaging between said ribs, and the bellows attached to said plate.

6. In a pneumatic bell, the combinatio with the bellows-box thereof open at the back and formed internally with converging ribs on opposite sides,of the removable plate E formed with vertical sideA flanges fr r tapering from back to front and adapted to enter and fit between said converging ribs, and the bellows D attached to said plate. l

'7. In a pneumatic bell having a casing or bellows-box, a removable plate fitting in said boX formed with horizontal and vertical portions, the bellows mounted on the horizontal portion of said plate, a compressible bulb mounted against the vertical portion thereof, and a tube connecting the bulb and bellows, whereby the bellows, bulb and communicating tube may be readily removed from the bellcasing by withdrawing said removable plate.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN HUNT.

Witnesses:

GEORGE H. FRASER, FRED WHITE.

IOO 

